Investing in Our History: Why the National Videogames Museum Needs the Games Ecosystem Now
As many of you know, I recently joined the board of the British Games Institute (BGI), the charity that runs the National Videogames Museum (NVM). Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the incredible work they do and, crucially, the challenges they face: how to fund an ambitious, national cultural mission in a sector that often focuses purely on commercial metrics and the enormous bottom line of the consumer market.
The Games Industry’s Cultural Anchor
For years, the Scottish Games Network has championed the ‘More Than Games’ philosophy, arguing that our industry’s value extends far beyond its billions in GVA. The NVM is the ultimate, physical expression of that philosophy.
It is where game history is preserved, where the public, politicians, and the media come to understand that games are culture, art, and essential social history. In 2025 alone, the NVM inspired over 2,500 school children and engaged over 2,000 people from underrepresented communities through outreach.
The museum is a vital tool for:
- Legitimacy: The NVM is our industry’s national advocate, proving we belong alongside film, literature, and music in the cultural conversation.
- Education: The museum inspires the next generation of designers, programmers, and artists, showing students that the games they make today are the history of tomorrow.
- Preservation: It is the only place dedicated to ensuring the artefacts, consoles, titles and stories that defined us are not lost to time or obsolescence.
If we don’t fund the institutions that validate us, who will?
From Success Story to Sustained Support: The Funding Challenge
The games industry is a spectacular commercial success. However, the NVM receives no core funding. Every donation, ticket sale, and sponsor is what keeps the doors open and the mission alive.
This is the challenge we must meet together. Your support directly funds three key areas of core work:
- Education + Skills: Ensuring that Learning is our Superpower – funding workshops and activities that inspire young minds to dream, design, and create.
- Participation + Access: Centring People in this Story – breaking down barriers to access and championing diversity and representation in games and wider culture.
- Preservation + Expertise: Pioneering Knowledge in our Field – preserving and celebrating videogame heritage for future generations.
This Christmas, the NVM has a collective target of £30,000 to sustain its ambitious mission into 2026. Every contribution helps. A small donation – the price of a new game, or just £9 – can help subsidise a child’s school visit or provide learning materials for a workshop.
Donate Now
- Individual Giving (£9-£100 or other)
- Corporate Giving (£250-upwards)
We ask everyone in the Scottish games ecosystem – from individual developers and freelancers to studio leaders and educators – to consider a donation to the NVM. You will be in good company; past partners and supporters include industry leaders like PlayStation, BAFTA, Sumo, Epic, Rebellion, and even Rockstar.
Think of your contribution not as a charitable gift, but as an investment in the industry’s central narrative. Help us ensure that the history of games is secured, celebrated, and used to inspire the future.
Please consider making a donation today to the National Videogames Museum.
Individual Giving
https://thenvm.org/support-us/
Corporate Giving
https://thenvm.org/corporate-giving/
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